Context of Primary Elections in Honduras and U.S. Relations
The U.S.-Honduras relationship has soured, particularly during the Trump administration, due to concerns over President Xiomara Castro’s affiliations. Primary elections are scheduled for March 9, with three main parties competing amidst a backdrop of internal strife and heightened electoral violence. The suspension of U.S. foreign assistance hampers electoral oversight, necessitating a focus on transparency in campaign financing and a restoration of international cooperation to ensure free elections.
The relationship between the United States and Honduras has deteriorated, notably during the Trump administration, which perceives President Xiomara Castro’s leftist government as a challenge due to its ties with China and support for authoritarian regimes. Notably, Secretary of State Marco Rubio excluded Honduras from his early 2025 Central America tour, sending a significant message regarding U.S. discontent.
Under the Trump administration, a cordial diplomatic rapport was maintained with former President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was extradited in 2022 and convicted of drug trafficking in 2024. Hernández’s trial unveiled electoral fraud linked to the 2017 elections. Contrarily, Roger Stone, a close Trump advisor, termed Hernández’s prosecution as a consequence of obstructing the so-called socialist government’s agenda, casting uncertainty on future relations between the U.S. and Honduras.
Primary elections in Honduras are set for March 9, where multiple parties face internal challenges while vying for candidates for the November 30, 2025, general elections. The three prominent parties are:
1. Liberty and Refoundation Party (LIBRE): Nominees include Rixi Moncada, the Defense Secretary supported by the current president, and Rasel Tomé, a U.S.-sanctioned Vice President of Congress.
2. National Party (PN): Features candidates like Ana García, spouse of the former president, alongside Nasry Asfura, who faces corruption charges.
3. Liberal Party (PL): Includes Jorge Cálix, a dissident, and Salvador Nasralla, who is focused on restoring ties with Taiwan.
The ongoing suspension of U.S. cooperation has incapacitated both electoral institutions and civil society. While the Organization of American States (OAS) plans to send a technical team to the primaries, comprehensive funding for a thorough observation mission for the general elections is uncertain. U.S. foreign assistance freezes hinder monitoring and support from civil society organizations, crucial for sustaining electoral integrity.
Monitoring campaign financing remains paramount as electoral corruption plagues Honduran governance. The Hernández trial illuminated how organized crime has infiltrated various levels of government. Electoral authorities must audit party funding effectively, yet only 21% of candidates have complied with the requirement to open specific bank accounts for campaign contributions. Transparency challenges persist due to confidentiality agreements obstructing public access to party financing information.
Electoral violence is escalating, with threats and attacks against electoral authorities and candidates. The National Electoral Council (CNE) president has reported receiving threats, while murders of candidates indicate intensified turf wars among organized crime factions. Honduras is ranked 10th on the Global Peace Index, exacerbated by corruption and crime that threaten civic participation.
In conclusion, it is essential for Honduran authorities to ensure free and fair elections amidst these challenges. Although the electoral budget has been approved, there is an urgency for prioritizing transparency and proper monitoring of campaign financing. Furthermore, the U.S. must restore cooperation with local electoral institutions and civil society, reinforcing efforts against organized crime to protect the electoral process.
The upcoming primary elections in Honduras present a critical opportunity amidst a backdrop of political polarization and external challenges. It is essential that electoral integrity is preserved through effective monitoring of campaign financing and cooperation with international observers. The relationship between the United States and Honduras will be pivotal in supporting democratic processes, aiming to mitigate organized crime’s influence on governance and electoral legitimacy.
Original Source: www.wola.org